Cat Johnson's 3 favorite reads in 2023

This book came to my attention on Booktok, but what made it stand out was that it was different. On a social platform where I see the same few authors and the same list of books recommended over and over again, this title and author was not only new to me, but completely outside of anything else I was seeing recommended.

Two serial killers—one male, one female—who fall in love while in competition with each other and it’s a romantic comedy! I was intrigued and I’m happy to say, delighted. It’s irreverent and at times macabre, but at the same time sweet and spicy and funny with a sigh-worthy happy ever after.

It’s a well-written dark comedy, easy, enjoyable read I have no problem recommending to readers open to books that are a bit out of the box.

While discussing books we were reading with a few other authors, one recommended Christina Lauren, a writing duo I had never read before, and another seconded that recommendation and specifically mentioned this title as a favorite. I have to agree. It quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year as well.

The story is set in the reality dating show world, but the fiction is so much more fun than the so-called “reality” of the actual shows that flood our televisions. The premise of what happens when the heroine falls for the show’s producer rather than one of the male contestants rounded up for her to choose from lends conflict to the story already ripe with tension from the heroine having given up on love and the hero’s personal and emotional baggage.

Throw in the added twist that the matches are made based on DNA chemistry and you have an interesting, entertaining, well-written read.

Lucy Score is fast becoming a household name in the romance world, but her Riley Thorn series is not… yet.

This is book 1 in the series that follows Riley, a reluctant psychic who sees ghosts whether she wants to or not, and her private investigator love interest. After reading this I quickly bought and read books 2 and 3 and am waiting for the release of book 4 (coming in 2024).

Thanks to the vast cast of characters from the quirky old folks who are Riley’s roommates, to the giant dog they adopt, Riley’s whacky family, her mystical guru trainer, and the always frustrated police detective, the evil bad guys and the unwitting strip club crew who get dragged into a murder mystery, this book captured my attention and tickled my fancy.